The western United States has some of the most diverse wildlife, landscapes, cultures, and foods in the country. Not to mention the area has a strong reputation for business acumen, technological innovation, and entrepreneurship. And of course, they have some amazing colleges and universities. For this top 25 list, we’ve included the best colleges from the following states in the far west: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.
Top 25 Best Far West Colleges
Stanford University accepts 4% of applicants, and 98% of students will stay at the school after they complete their first year. Their student-to-faculty ratio is only 5 to 1. The 31st president of the United States, Herbert Hoover, was a graduate of Stanford. Other alumni have included Fulbright Scholars, members of Congress, astronauts, and billionaires. Known as the Stanford Cardinal, their colors are cardinal and white.
Location
Stanford, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
18,283
Also known as Caltech, the California Institute of Technology’s motto is, “the truth shall make you free.” Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering are top majors among students, and there have been over 75 Nobel laureates associated with Caltech (including 40 alumni and faculty members). The school is classified as “Doctoral/Research Universities--Extensive.”
Location
Pasadena, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
2,401
Pomona College receives around 12,100 applications annually and accepts 7% of them. Commonly chosen majors are Computer Science, Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Mathematics, and Political Science and Government. The school was created when the founders wanted to recreate a “college of the New England type.” Their mascot is Cecil the Sagehen.
Location
Claremont, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,716
Claremont McKenna College, which accepts 11% of applicants, was founded as a men’s college in 1946. It became co-educational in 1976. The most commonly chosen major is Econometrics and Quantitative Economics. With a strong 8 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio, 96% of students will stay after their freshman year.
Location
Claremont, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,389
Harvey Mudd College offers programs only related to Science and Engineering. It has a low 13% acceptance rate, 97% first year retention rate, and 8 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. Part of the Claremont Colleges, their colors are black and gold. The men’s teams are known as the Stags and the women are known as the Athenas.
Location
Claremont, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
922
The University of Southern California is an extremely large school with more graduates than undergraduates. The most popular major by far for undergraduates is Business Administration and Management, General. Some notable alumni include LeVar Burton, Neil Armstrong, Will Ferrell, and George Lucas.
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
48,945
Soka University of America has an acceptance rate of 70%. A fairly new school (founded in 2001), the private university focuses on pacifism, human rights, and the creative coexistence of nature and humanity. It was created by the founder of the Soka Gakkai International Buddhist movement, Daisaku Ikeda.
Location
Aliso Viejo, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
455
Originally opening in 1851, Santa Clara University is actually the oldest operating institution of higher learning in the state. Athletes are known as the Broncos where they compete in the West Coast Conference. Former Broncos have gone on to play in the NBA, NFL, and MLB, and have won at least 13 Olympic gold medals.
Location
Santa Clara, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
9,178
The University of California in Los Angeles, a public land-grant research university, is the second-oldest branch of the school system. Its motto is “fiat lux,” or “let there be light.” Famous alumni have included Sean Astin, Francis Ford Coppola, Michael Morhaime, Jim Morrison, and Troy Aikman. It has a low acceptance rate of only 8.6%.
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
46,430
A member of the Claremont Colleges, Scripps College is a private liberal arts women’s school. It’s known for its historic campus as well as its extensive curriculum. The campus is currently listed in the National Register of Historic Places and often gets mentioned for its beautiful grounds. Political Science and Government, Research and Experimental Psychology, and Biology are common majors.
Location
Claremont, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,099
The University of California – Berkeley was the state’s first land-grant university and the first campus in the school system. The California Golden Bears, competing in the Pac-12 conference, have won over 100 national championships. With a 96% first year retention rate, 82% will go on to graduate within 4 years, 94% within 6.
Location
Berkeley, CA
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
45,307
Occidental College is extremely close to Hollywood, so a number of movies and television shows have been filmed on its campus. Some examples include: Clueless, Arrested Development, The Good Place, and Star Trek III: the Search for Spock. Also known as Oxy, the school accepts about 40% out of just under 6,500 applications annually.
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,942
Gonzaga University’s campus is on 152 acres right alongside the Spokane River. A Catholic University, the school is named after the Jesuit saint Aloysius Gonzaga. The university accepts 76% of applicants and has a solid 93% first year retention rate. 87% of students will go on to graduate within six years. Part of the West Coast Conference, top varsity sports include Basketball, Soccer, and Baseball.
Location
Spokane, WA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
7,253
Thomas Aquinas College is an extremely small liberal arts college in California. The only major the school offers is Liberal Arts and Sciences. The college has a 92% first year retention rate, 83% four year graduation rate, and an 11 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. Thomas Aquinas College’s motto is “Fides Quaerens Intellectum” or “Faith Seeking Understanding.”
Location
Santa Paula, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
516
Pepperdine University has more graduates than undergraduates with one undergraduate school and four graduate schools. The main campus can be found in Malibu, but other campuses can be found all over the world from Washington D.C., to Florence, Italy, to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Pepperdine University has an 88% first year retention rate and a 76% four year graduation rate.
Location
Malibu, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
10,030
Chapman University is a midsized school located just over 30 minutes outside of Huntington Beach, CA. About 78% of the student population are undergraduates while the other 22% of the are pursuing graduate degrees. The school boasts a 91% first year retention rate. The three most popular college majors students study are Business Administration and Management, Cinematography and Film/Video Production, and Psychology.
Location
Orange, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
10,014
Loyola Marymount University is home to the LMU Lions, who wear crimson and blue. Their mascot is named Iggy. Marketing, Psychology, and Speech Communication are the three most popular majors among students. 83% of students are expected to graduate within six years. Over half of the first year class calls California home, though students come from all over the U.S.
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
10,165
Whitman College is a small liberal arts college located at the foot of the Blue Mountains. Founded in 1859, it now offers over 80 off-campus programs in around 40 countries. With a 9:1 student-faculty ratio and a 1:1 student-to-tree ratio, students will find it a cozy and earthy community. Biology, Research and Experimental Psychology, and English Language and Literature are all popular majors.
Location
Walla Walla, WA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,493
19
Reed College
19
Reed College
Founded in 1908 in southeast Portland, Reed College is a small liberal arts and sciences college. “Reedies” enjoy a cozy 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio and the school offers 40 majors programs to its students. The most popular majors at Reed College include Political Science and Government, Experimental Psychology, English Language and Literature, and Mathematics.
Location
Portland, OR
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,534
The southernmost campus of the University of California system, it is located close to the Pacific Ocean. The school covers over 140 bachelor’s degree programs, 19 organized research units, and boasts the region’s only academic Health System. The school has a 93% first year retention rate. Some alumni of the San Diego school include Angela Davis, Mike Judge, and David J. Peterson.
Location
La Jolla, CA
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
42,006
Part of the University of California system, the Santa Barbara campus is located on the Campus Point State Marine Conservation Area. Econometrics/Quantitative Economics and Sociology are by far the most commonly chosen majors, but Communication and Experimental Psychology are also top choices.
Location
Santa Barbara, CA
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
26,420
Also known as UCI or UC Irvine, this public land-grant research university offers over 85 majors to undergraduates. The UC Irvine Anteaters are part of the Big West Conference. 53 alumni have gone on to compete in the Olympics. Computer Science is the most commonly chosen major at the school, followed by Biology and Business/Managerial Economics.
Location
Irvine, CA
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
35,937
The University of Portland receives around 9,000 applications each year and about 95% of those applicants will be accepted. The most popular majors among students are Registered Nursing, Biology/Biological Sciences, and Education. 99% of attending students receive some sort of grant aid.
Location
Portland, OR
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
3,793
Founded in 1937, Westmont College’s motto is Christus Primatum Tenens, which is Latin for “Christ Holding Preeminence.” The school was initially a Bible Missionary Institute but would become Westmont College only 3 years later. 97% of those attending the college receive institutional grant aid (about $29,640 on average per student).
Location
Santa Barbara, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,284
Sharing a campus with Cascadia College, University of Washington's Bothell Campus is actually the largest campus branch in the state. Over 96% of students are from Washington. UW Bothell has over 180 majors, study abroad programs, and weekend/evening college classes available. 85% of students stay at the school after their first year.
Location
Bothell, WA
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
5,735
State Grant Aid in the Far West US
Almost every state in the United States has at least one grant program for its students. Grants and scholarships are programs that provide students with free money to attend college. While some may have stipulations that need to be met, it could help make expensive colleges more affordable for students planning on studying in the Far West. If you want to explore what your state has to offer, we recommend starting with our State Grants Guide right here.
Why is the Far West a Great Place to Go to School?
The westernmost part of the United States is made up of so many different types of climates and cultures that it’s difficult to summarize them as a group! From the vibrant state of Hawaii to the frozen landscape of Alaska to the deserts of Nevada, there’s something for everyone when it comes to activities, climate, and culture.
If you love amazing wildlife and the cold, Alaska may be home for you. It’s home to some of the most stunning parks and views of any state, including the Denali National Park and Preserve. However, if you love warmth and beaches, Hawaii may be more your style and speed.
For students who enjoy the woodlands, rainy weather, and plenty of modern culture, Northern California, Oregon, and Washington are excellent choices, too. Southern California and Nevada offer mountains, deserts, culture, excellent food, and so much to do we couldn’t possibly list it all.
Interested in any of the schools in this region? Check out College Raptor’s free match tool to see if they’re a good fit for you!
Methodology
Colleges are ranked based on a combination of factors, including graduation rates, campus diversity, endowment per student, and other data as reported via the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) for the most recently available enrollment year. Some colleges may have been excluded from rankings based on certain criteria, including specialization and classification. Learn about our full methodology.
